Red Onion Randy - Life in a Supermax Prison

In response to listeners' requests, Randy describes his cell and goes on to detail a  typical day in his life, most of which is spent in a cell that's smaller than an average car parking space. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast d...

In 2006, Randy was sent to Sussex 1  State Prison outside Richmond Virginia, where the state holds its death row prisoners. Deeply unhappy in his new home, Randy slashed the throat of another inmate -- a child molester -- as a result of which, he was sent to Red Onion and solitary confinement. The episode contains descriptions of extreme violence. Listener discretion is advised. Red Onion Randy fe...

Randy talks about his work “slinging ink” -- the art of tattooing -- a practice that can form strong and enduring bonds between inmates. To see examples of tattoo flashes from Red Onion, check out https://www.redonionrandy.com/shop.html Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produce...

Randy describes Red Onion’s SAM (Secure Allied Management)– and SIP (Secure Integrated Pod), two high security accommodation programs that prepare prisoners for gradual integration into general population. Documentary mentioned by Randy in the podcast- Solitary: Inside Red Onion State Prison https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/solitary-inside-red-onion-state-prison/ Red Onion Randy features the life...

In the first of this two-part story of his journey from solitary back to Red Onion’s general population, Randy describes the painful process of looking at himself in the mirror and acknowledging his anger, violence, and disregard for life. Over a number of years, he was able to commit to and achieve change in himself, a challenge that was supported by the prison’s “step down” program and his appea...

Randy answers listener David's question about food in supermax, recalling the time when discontent about the quality and quantity of food led to a group protest. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound e...

In this episode, Randy answers listeners’ questions. Paula wants to know how other prisoners and corrections officers have reacted to the podcast. Dianna asks Randy about pen pal programs. He offers insider advice about the benefits and risks of corresponding with prisoners.  Documentary mentioned by Randy in the podcast- Solitary: Inside Red Onion State Prison https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/so...

Randy answers listeners’ questions about the prison’s step down program and the psychological impact of solitary confinement. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Pa...

After spending five years in administrative segregation -- solitary confinement -- Randy successfully completes Red Onion’s “step down” program, earning the right to move into the prison’s “general population.” After a few months, however, despite following all rules and regulations, Randy is returned to solitary, where he’ll spend the next 13 years, until his release to general population at the...

In his years in solitary confinement, Randy developed an extraordinary power – the ability to travel in time and space through the power of imagination. As he says, he may be in prison, but he’s not a prisoner. In this episode Randy is our guide on an imaginary walk in the woods near his boyhood home in Earlysville, Virginia. Wherever you are and however you’re feeling right now, let Randy take yo...

Randy recalls his discovery of the Wheel of Time series by fantasy fiction writer Robert Jordan and the life-changing epiphany he experienced while reading them. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound e...

Randy reports that inmates working in the kitchen have tested positive for Covid-19.  For the moment, the outbreak appears to be under control. Since a new kitchen manager was appointed two months ago the quality and quantity of food has improved significantly. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital mur...

After slashing the throat of another inmate in the rec yard at Sussex 1 State Prison Randy is sent to Red Onion State Prison, where he is kept in solitary confinement, also known as administrative segregation. In this powerful account of life in “seg”, Randy describes the devastating mental health impact of intense loneliness, hopelessness, and boredom, where 23 hours of every day is spent in a ce...

Content Warning: This episode contains descriptions of sexual assault and extreme physical violence. When gang leader LA threatens to rape Randy, Randy reacts by slashing LA’s throat on the rec yard. Red Onion Randy, featuring Randall Via, is directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title music composed b...

After being sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the twenty-year-old Randy is sent to Buckingham Correctional Center, a state prison between Richmond and Lynchburg, Virginia. In this ruthless new world, any sign of weakness will be exploited by other inmates. Red Onion Randy, featuring Randall Via, is directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by...

In jail awaiting trial, Randy has a fistfight with a correctional officer. It ends when a second officer, “The Undertaker”, intervenes. After being convicted of murder and armed robbery, Randy faces either the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. The jury announces its decision on his 20th birthday. Red Onion Randy, featuring Randall Via, is directed and produced by M...

Unemployed, hopeless and adrift, Randall embarks on another crime spree. This time burglary and car theft ends in armed robbery and murder. Red Onion Randy, featuring Randall Via, is directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title music composed by Joni Park and Julia Jooyeon Park. Help us improve the podc...

Randy describes truanting from high school, his drift into crime, and a first encounter with the Virginia Department of Corrections at the Beaumont Juvenile Correctional Center. He reflects on how the juvenile justice system only reinforced his criminal behaviours, culminating in a crime spree that ended with him committing capital murder. Red Onion Randy, featuring Randall Via, is directed and pr...

Randy describes his dirt poor childhood in Earlysville, Virginia, living in a trailer with his mother, two brothers and an abusive father who subjected him to frequent, violent beatings. After his parents separated, Randy found himself in foster care, embittered and angry, with a hair-trigger temper.  Soon he started committing petty crimes. Red Onion Randy, featuring Randall Via, is directed and...

In this episode, Randy introduces his buddy Frank and describes the importance of friendship in facing the soul-crushing loneliness of prison. Documentary mentioned by Randy in the podcast- Solitary: Inside Red Onion State Prison https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/solitary-inside-red-onion-state-prison/ Red Onion Randy, featuring Randall Via, is directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and...

Randall Via -- Red Onion Randy introduces himself and his podcast. Red Onion Randy, featuring Randall Via, is directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Title music composed by Joni Park and Julia Jooyeon Park. Ask Randy questions on the Red Onion Randy website https://www.redonionrandy.com/